I know that Nest and dropcam are out there working together but I have almost no knowledge of anything else and haven't talked to anyone that uses these systems. I was hoping for some advice on where and how to get started building up my own smart home.

EDIT: Moved to Tech and Help as it seemed more appropriate.

Whelp, in commemoration of the end of the world, I'm going to be running around setting things on fire. Toodles! -Xeknos

Thanks for the update, Balthezor. After another week of research I've gone ahead and ordered the starter pack from Abode plus a couple additional sensors. The price can't be beat plus when I talked to Abode support they confirmed full Apple Homekit integration by January. Since I haven't seen official confirmation from either company I'll take this with a grain of salt, but even if that falls through full Nest integration is a really nice alternative.

Thanks for the update, Balthezor. After another week of research I've gone ahead and ordered the starter pack from Abode plus a couple additional sensors. The price can't be beat plus when I talked to Abode support they confirmed full Apple Homekit integration by January. Since I haven't seen official confirmation from either company I'll take this with a grain of salt, but even if that falls through full Nest integration is a really nice alternative.

I hope you like it. I'm not even using the features to its full extent, but the geofencing automation works perfectly for me.

Thanks for the update, Balthezor. After another week of research I've gone ahead and ordered the starter pack from Abode plus a couple additional sensors. The price can't be beat plus when I talked to Abode support they confirmed full Apple Homekit integration by January. Since I haven't seen official confirmation from either company I'll take this with a grain of salt, but even if that falls through full Nest integration is a really nice alternative.

I hope you like it. I'm not even using the features to its full extent, but the geofencing automation works perfectly for me.

After two shipping delays and a power supply recall, I finally got my Abode system setup last Friday. Simple but effective, really like it so far.

Any advice for having the ability to turn on hardwired exterior lights using a garage door opener? Is it possible, or another way to remotely turn them on/off while in the car? Especially this time of year when its darker when I leave for work/get home from work, it would be nice.

Any advice for having the ability to turn on hardwired exterior lights using a garage door opener? Is it possible, or another way to remotely turn them on/off while in the car? Especially this time of year when its darker when I leave for work/get home from work, it would be nice.

Chamberlain makes one. In fact, I bought one and can't use one like most home automation switches because I don't have neutrals in my wiring (I think).

Any advice for having the ability to turn on hardwired exterior lights using a garage door opener? Is it possible, or another way to remotely turn them on/off while in the car? Especially this time of year when its darker when I leave for work/get home from work, it would be nice.

Wifi plugs/lights are getting cheaper all the time. Would that work for you?

Any advice for having the ability to turn on hardwired exterior lights using a garage door opener? Is it possible, or another way to remotely turn them on/off while in the car? Especially this time of year when its darker when I leave for work/get home from work, it would be nice.

Wifi plugs/lights are getting cheaper all the time. Would that work for you?

To get it to do what he wants, you'd have to do some automation to monitor the garage door probably to know when to turn them on. My understanding was to have them come on with the same button press as the garage door opener.

If you did wifi, you'd have to also use your phone to log into whatever controlled them, or do IFTTT to monitor the door to turn on the lights.

What I linked to should do what he needs, assuming his wiring can handle it. I've got three pole switches with no neutral wire, and I couldn't get it to work properly, so YMMV with your house wiring. It's supposed to handle three way switches I think, but since my house wiring is too old to have been built with neutral wires as required by code, it doesn't work properly.

Any advice for having the ability to turn on hardwired exterior lights using a garage door opener? Is it possible, or another way to remotely turn them on/off while in the car? Especially this time of year when its darker when I leave for work/get home from work, it would be nice.

Wifi plugs/lights are getting cheaper all the time. Would that work for you?

works really well and ties into my Google Assistant/Google Home so I can just tell "Hey google turn on christmas" and it happens. I can also schedule through the iHome app on my phone. ALSO can activate the lights from anywhere since it's tied to my Home device.

This thread reminded me - I've been looking for a camera to keep an eye on my front door through a window. My research landed me on the Arlo Q, mostly because of the 7-day free cloud storage. DeThroned mentioned it earlier in the thread. Would anyone like to chime in if these are still a good buy? I'm also considering the Circle2 since it comes specifically with a window mount on top of being a solid choice. The 1-day storage is a turn-off, though.

I have 3 buttons on my garage door openers. was wonder if somehow it was possible to use those? Doesn't have to be the same button. Its a craftsman garage door opener(not sure who actually built it though )

I have 3 buttons on my garage door openers. was wonder if somehow it was possible to use those? Doesn't have to be the same button. Its a craftsman garage door opener(not sure who actually built it though )

The ones I posted should work, and you can sync to the same button as the garage door in many cases. Would possibly need the myQ controller. I think Craftsman openers use the same system, and rebrand it to their own name.

Anybody got a recommendation for a good button controller that would work with Smart Things? (Zwave) I got one of these minimotes, but I would like something a bit easier to find in the dark. Going to use it for bedroom light control.

Anybody got a recommendation for a good button controller that would work with Smart Things? (Zwave) I got one of these minimotes, but I would like something a bit easier to find in the dark. Going to use it for bedroom light control.

I have several Xiaomi Buttons around my house. They're dirt cheap but robustly constructed. Because of a wonky Chinese Zigbee implementation they might be problematic to pair with your hub, but once they do pair, they work well. They require a custom device type handler and thus their events run in the cloud. Depending on your scenario, this may disqualify them from use a light switch, because a full second might pass between you pressing the button and the light actually turning on. But I've put one on my wife's nightstand where she controls her reading light with it, and she loves it. The button is matte white plastic that is easily paintable.

If you need something classier-looking, then I suggest to check out Fibaro Button. If you're willing to mount it on a wall, then both Fibaro and Aeotec have nice wall-switch-looking, battery-powered buttons.

Anybody got a recommendation for a good button controller that would work with Smart Things? (Zwave) I got one of these minimotes, but I would like something a bit easier to find in the dark. Going to use it for bedroom light control.

I have several Xiaomi Buttons around my house. They're dirt cheap but robustly constructed. Because of a wonky Chinese Zigbee implementation they might be problematic to pair with your hub, but once they do pair, they work well. They require a custom device type handler and thus their events run in the cloud. Depending on your scenario, this may disqualify them from use a light switch, because a full second might pass between you pressing the button and the light actually turning on. But I've put one on my wife's nightstand where she controls her reading light with it, and she loves it. The button is matte white plastic that is easily paintable.

If you need something classier-looking, then I suggest to check out Fibaro Button. If you're willing to mount it on a wall, then both Fibaro and Aeotec have nice wall-switch-looking, battery-powered buttons.

I've looked at those Xiaomi switches now that you mention them. I'll research the device handler situation. I don't have a problme manually loading a device handler if I need to, but I just want it to work consistently.

I bought two in December, they are pretty great. I used them while we were out of town over the holidays, one set up to monitor the main level (all three entry doors can be seen from the kitchen) and one to monitor the basement. Some pros and cons:

Pros:
The app is easy to use
The image quality is great
Notifications are available for motion detection, smoke/CO detection, and sound detection
Cameras are small and unobtrusive, and come with a magnetic articulated mount
$20!!

Cons:
Wired outlet plug-in only
Motion detection can be pretty sensitive, I've had changes in sunlight trip alerts
The sound quality is only ok
There is a "talk through the camera" feature, but the sound quality is pretty bad

Overall I'm really happy with them. I'd love to get a couple more but they've been sold out ever since I got my first two. They're not going to rival more expensive wireless setups, but for the price they're fantastic.

I bought two in December, they are pretty great. I used them while we were out of town over the holidays, one set up to monitor the main level (all three entry doors can be seen from the kitchen) and one to monitor the basement. Some pros and cons:

Pros:
The app is easy to use
The image quality is great
Notifications are available for motion detection, smoke/CO detection, and sound detection
Cameras are small and unobtrusive, and come with a magnetic articulated mount
$20!!

Cons:
Wired outlet plug-in only
Motion detection can be pretty sensitive, I've had changes in sunlight trip alerts
The sound quality is only ok
There is a "talk through the camera" feature, but the sound quality is pretty bad

Overall I'm really happy with them. I'd love to get a couple more but they've been sold out ever since I got my first two. They're not going to rival more expensive wireless setups, but for the price they're fantastic.

We got 3, love em so far. Basically agree with Boudreaux's pros and cons. Also cloud clips are only 12 seconds and can't be adjusted (for now). Customer support has been pretty responsive though.

Never forget Harrison Schmidt!

"With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want." - Christopher Columbus